St John of God Murdoch Hospital is the only hospital in Western Australia conducting a trial investigating a new combination of immune-based treatments to treat metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer. Lead Investigator Professor Kynan Feeney says the study is testing the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of a combination of new immunotherapy drugs. “We are … Continue reading Trial treating stomach cancer

Professor Kynan Feeney from Oncology West says stomach cancer is comparatively uncommon in our community but we should be aware of its symptoms as it is a common cause of cancer death. “Abdominal pain, weight loss and black stools are associated with stomach cancer but they are also indicators of other issues such as ulcers … Continue reading Stomach cancer uncommon but often deadly

Pancreatic cancer is an abnormal growth of cells within the pancreas. It is a deadly condition with poor outcomes, and the number of people diagnosed across the country is ever increasing. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related death in Australian men and the fifth-leading cause in women, with an overall five-year survival rate … Continue reading Pancreatic cancer: ‘A silent disease’

Lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer in WA; nine per cent of cancers in WA are cancer of the lung.¹ In 2014, there were approximately 800 deaths due to lung cancer in WA, and more than 1100 new cases. Although Australia’s rates of smoking are low when compared to the rest of the … Continue reading Lung Cancer – Not Always a Smoker’s Disease

Until recently, lung cancer diagnosis and determining a patient’s stage of cancer relied on CT and PET scans, as well as a biopsy, which often required an invasive operation. Interventional Pulmonologist Matt Salamonsen from Murdoch Chest says the introduction of Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) has revolutionised the field of respiratory medicine. “EBUS is a non-surgical procedure … Continue reading Revolutionary Approach to Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Staging

Advances in cancer care have led to dramatic improvements in survival rates over the past three decades. Now more than 66 per cent of Australians with cancer survive more than five years. With these improvements in treatments, however, come challenges for people who live with complex and debilitating side effects from combinations of therapies and … Continue reading Videos To Support Patients Through Cancer Treatment